From Discovery to IND: A Biology-First Approach to New Modalities:

As therapeutic modalities continue to expand beyond small molecules and monoclonal antibodies, one principle is becoming increasingly important in drug discovery: modality should follow biology.

At the recent WuXi AppTec Spring Science Forum in Cambridge, industry experts explored how innovators can build greater translational confidence as they advance emerging modalities — from ADCs and bispecific antibodies to peptides, oligonucleotides, and protein degraders.

The discussion highlighted several key themes:
🔹 Using fit-for-purpose models to interrogate biology
🔹 Generating clinically relevant translational evidence early
🔹 Leveraging multiple modalities not only as therapies, but also as biological validation tools
🔹 Addressing modality-specific IND-enabling challenges through integrated development strategies

In our latest article, we explore how a biology-first framework can help innovators strengthen decision-making, improve translational relevance, and support more informed paths toward clinical development.